Once again, changes are coming to the Marina Bay Circuit, with the addition of a new DRS zone. Here is the new layout for Singapore 2024.
After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, it’s time for the F1 circus to head deeper into Asia for another race week. Formula 1 is ready to touch down in Singapore, the premier night race on the calendar, known for its iconic scenery and legendary races. The Asian track, located south of China, will host its 15th edition, marking the 18th round of the F1 World Championship. With the Constructors’ Championship tightly contested, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren are battling for the title, especially after the thrilling race in Baku just a few days ago.
A year after Carlos Sainz’s surprise victory during a dominant 2023 season for Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the tables have turned: the Austrian team is struggling (winless for 8 consecutive races), while Ferrari and McLaren have closed the gap in recent weeks. McLaren, fresh off a victory in Baku thanks to an outstanding Oscar Piastri, benefited from the last-lap collision between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, securing 20 points over Red Bull and extending their lead over Ferrari by 51 points.
The New Singapore: Less Boring, More Overtakes with a Fourth DRS Zone
However, with 7 races left in the season, there’s no time to relax as Singapore looms. The magical Asian circuit could be crucial for the championship standings, with many considering it the race that could reignite the fight for Ferrari or Red Bull against McLaren. But the show will feature some changes to the Marina Bay Circuit: the FIA is set to introduce modifications to the Singapore 2024 layout, including the addition of a DRS zone. This new zone will be located in between Turns 14 and the 16 in the third sector, where last year a new straight replaced the old chicane before the final three turns.
The DRS addition in that section was already requested by drivers last season, but the FIA didn’t approve it due to a “lack of full team agreement.” This year, however, it seems everyone is on board, and the fourth DRS zone in the new Singapore layout is set to debut. The Marina Bay Circuit, often called the “Asian Monaco,” is notorious for limited overtaking opportunities and races that often revolve around tire management, as seen in Sainz’s strategic win in 2023. This makes Saturday’s qualifying session even more crucial.
Despite what fans may already know about the circuit, F1 and the FIA are striving to avoid another Monaco-style race like the one earlier this season, or a repeat of last year’s Singapore race, by introducing another DRS zone to encourage overtaking. Whether this will be enough remains to be seen, but the prospects are promising. We’ll just have to wait for Friday, the start of the Singapore 2024 race weekend —the new Singapore.
Photo: F1, Oracle Red Bull Racing